New York is poised to become the first state in the country to mandate social media warning labels for young users. The move aims to curb the potential harm caused by excessive social media use among minors.
Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation that requires warning labels on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which are known for their auto-play and infinite scrolling features. These labels will serve as a cautionary notice to young users about the risks associated with these platforms, including anxiety, depression, online bullying, and exposure to predators.
Dr. Shannon Bennett, an associate director at NewYork-Presbyterian and psychologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, explains that excessive social media use can be detrimental to mental health, particularly for adolescents whose brains are still developing. "We need to be protective of our most vulnerable youth," she says. "Social media can be a tool for connection, community, and learning, but it's also essential to recognize the potential risks."
The warning labels will be displayed on platforms that employ addictive features, such as auto-scrolling and infinite scrolling. These labels will warn users about the potential risks of anxiety and depression and cannot be bypassed.
While the effectiveness of these warnings is still uncertain, experts believe they may promote mindfulness and thoughtfulness among young users. "It's not about completely eliminating social media, but rather being aware of how we're using it," says Dr. Bennett.
There is a growing body of research on the topic, and while more studies are needed, existing evidence suggests that repeated exposure to warnings can lead to changes in behavior. For instance, the association between warning labels on tobacco and alcohol products has led to increased recognition of potential harm.
However, not all experts agree that social media is inherently problematic for young people. Dr. Bennett notes that for many children, social media provides a sense of connection, creativity, and learning opportunities. "Kids can articulate the benefits of social media in their own lives," she says.
To mitigate the risks associated with social media, parents are advised to engage in open dialogue with their children about online safety and behavior. Dr. Bennett recommends utilizing parental controls to limit exposure to certain content and asking children about what they like or dislike about specific platforms or creators.
Ultimately, the success of these warning labels will depend on how well they are implemented and received by young users. As one expert notes, "We want kids to feel like they have safe people they can talk to about online concerns."
Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation that requires warning labels on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which are known for their auto-play and infinite scrolling features. These labels will serve as a cautionary notice to young users about the risks associated with these platforms, including anxiety, depression, online bullying, and exposure to predators.
Dr. Shannon Bennett, an associate director at NewYork-Presbyterian and psychologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, explains that excessive social media use can be detrimental to mental health, particularly for adolescents whose brains are still developing. "We need to be protective of our most vulnerable youth," she says. "Social media can be a tool for connection, community, and learning, but it's also essential to recognize the potential risks."
The warning labels will be displayed on platforms that employ addictive features, such as auto-scrolling and infinite scrolling. These labels will warn users about the potential risks of anxiety and depression and cannot be bypassed.
While the effectiveness of these warnings is still uncertain, experts believe they may promote mindfulness and thoughtfulness among young users. "It's not about completely eliminating social media, but rather being aware of how we're using it," says Dr. Bennett.
There is a growing body of research on the topic, and while more studies are needed, existing evidence suggests that repeated exposure to warnings can lead to changes in behavior. For instance, the association between warning labels on tobacco and alcohol products has led to increased recognition of potential harm.
However, not all experts agree that social media is inherently problematic for young people. Dr. Bennett notes that for many children, social media provides a sense of connection, creativity, and learning opportunities. "Kids can articulate the benefits of social media in their own lives," she says.
To mitigate the risks associated with social media, parents are advised to engage in open dialogue with their children about online safety and behavior. Dr. Bennett recommends utilizing parental controls to limit exposure to certain content and asking children about what they like or dislike about specific platforms or creators.
Ultimately, the success of these warning labels will depend on how well they are implemented and received by young users. As one expert notes, "We want kids to feel like they have safe people they can talk to about online concerns."
? I mean I've seen all my friends do crazy stuff on Instagram and TikTok, but it's not like they're being bullied or anything... Wait, what if some of the creators are predators? That's a bit scary. But at the same time, isn't social media supposed to be a way for people to connect with each other? I guess that's true too 
! I think it's super important for parents to be open with their kids about the potential downsides of excessive social media use. I've seen my younger cousins get lost in these platforms and it can be really concerning. The auto-play feature is so designed to keep you hooked, but it's also keeping them from taking breaks or engaging in other activities that are good for them 
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. This is all about finding a healthy middle ground 
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.. Kids are too smart for that warning label thingy.. They'll just scroll past it or ignore it altogether... And what's the point of limiting exposure to content anyway? That's like saying "no more screens" and expecting kids to just magically stop using them lol... Plus, I think it's kinda unfair to stigmatize social media as a whole when some platforms are actually pretty good for mental health.. Like TikTok has these awesome features that help you take breaks from the screen and practice mindfulness... And what about all the times my grandma freaks out because of something on Twitter? Shouldn't we be teaching kids to deal with online drama instead of trying to limit their social media use? 
... warning labels won't work if they're not backed up by actual parental involvement... all this effort might just create more anxiety for kids with already fragile mental health 
... and what's the end goal here? To stifle free online expression? 
. But at the same time, we don't wanna completely ban social media 'cause kids love it and it can have benefits too 
. Guess it's all about finding that balance... 
I mean, come on. if parents aren't monitoring their kids' screen time already, what makes they think a few warnings gonna make a difference? and don't even get me started on the "educational" value of all this... 
. Like, our teens are spending so much time on these platforms and it's wild how much of an impact it can have on their mental health. I mean, anxiety and depression are already super common among young people, but when you add in the factors like auto-play and infinite scrolling, it's a recipe for disaster 
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so now NY is gonna label instagram and tiktok like a digital speed bump for teens? kinda harsh, don't you think? like how can a warning label stop ppl from getting sucked into an infinite scroll vortex? and what's with the assumption that all teens are vulnerable to online bullying just cuz they're on social media? 
. It's time to give 'em a heads up, ya know? These warning labels might not be a magic solution, but they're a start. And hey, if it helps kids think twice before mindlessly scrolling through their feeds 
, then I'm all for it! Parents need to be having these conversations with their kiddos anyway, so this just gives 'em an extra tool in the toolkit 
. It's like having a ' warning light' 
that tells you to be careful, but still allows them to enjoy their favorite platforms 
. Parents can also play a big role in teaching kids about online safety and being mindful of what they share 
. Maybe we'll see some positive changes soon 
! 
. I mean, social media can be super helpful for connecting with friends and learning new things, especially for older kids who are more mature. We don't want them feeling like they're being judged all the time 
. Maybe we could have different levels of labels or warnings that correspond to a kid's age or maturity level? That way, we can still educate them about the risks without making them feel anxious 
. We need to find that balance between keeping our young people safe and not taking away all their freedom 
it's like we're implying that these platforms r inherently bad 4 young ppl & need protection from themselves? 
. These social media platforms do seem pretty addictive, especially for teens 
But seriously, I think this is a good idea. My little cousins are already glued to their screens all day, and it's worrying me 
. Now, we've got experts telling us how to do it right.
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